Whose side are they on?

Sam Besket / Columnist Published: January 25, 2013 1:00 PM

In a speech at Gettysburg in 1864, President Lincoln spoke of a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. We have a government of the people, and by the people. But, recent decisions made by our government make us wonder if it is for the people. Better yet, which people are they for? If we look at the following issues our government is pursuing, it makes you wonder whose side they are on.

The justice department is suing the state of Arizona, the governor, and the county sheriff's for enforcing immigration laws. They claim the federal government is charged with protecting and securing our borders, not the states. What is wrong with the state enforcing immigration if the federal government refuses to do it? After all, they live there; the problem is in their back yard. How can someone in Washington deal with a problem that is hundreds of miles away?

One Southern state recently came under fire for passing a law requiring you to show a photo I.D. when you vote. In this day and age you need a photo I.D. to cash a check, board a plane, or buy alcohol or cigarettes. The list is endless. Last fall I received a flyer from the board of elections advising me to bring valid identification with me to the polls. I vote in a small community where the poll workers know me. It is so simple for me just to show my driver's license. They get the info they need and it speeds up the process. If you don't have a driver's license, a legal I.D. is available through the state.

When a natural disaster happens in a foreign country, we give that country millions of dollars with no strings attached. When disasters happen in this country, Congress bickers over an aid package for months before passing legislation making the victims eligible for low cost loans. How many foreign countries have lined up to give aid to people who were victims of hurricane Sandy? The list is very small.

In recent years, more and more companies and businesses are requiring employees to submit to random substance abuse testing. This is necessary today since the equipment employees operate cost millions of dollars, or they are responsible for other people's lives. Yet, when it was suggested testing people receiving government assistance for substance abuse, the justice department chimes in claiming it is discriminatory.

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Ben Stein said it best. "Fathom the hypocrisy of a government that requires every citizen to prove they have health insurance but not everyone must prove they are a citizen."

In the last few months I have come up with a solution that might work for law abiding citizens. Simply take a vacation to Mexico or Canada. Then sneak back across the border as an undocumented person. This makes you eligible for everything, and anything.

Sam Besket is retired and a member of Rainy Day Writers. Look for his short stories in their book "SOLD" available at Mr. Lee's, Riesbeck's in Cambridge and New Concord, and The Daily Jeffersonian. E-mail sbesket@aol.com